Remembering Stanley LoverPosted by Paul Gardner on Dec. 30, 7:09 p.m.So another friend has gone. I can't say Stanley Lover was a close friend -- we didn't see enough of each other for that. But he was a dear friend, a respected friend, and I am greatly saddened to hear of his passing.» 4 Comments

Red Bulls and Sounders Spurn the Creative GamePosted by Paul Gardner on Dec. 19, 8:31 p.m.As the 2013 MLS season climaxed we were treated to the unenviable experience of watching the New York Red Bulls and the Seattle Sounders -- two teams that had looked like wiping out everyone -- suddenly suffering hopeless slumps and departing from the playoffs, if not in disgrace, then certainly in disarray.» 12 Comments

College Soccer: Simply UnrealPosted by Paul Gardner on Dec. 16, 12:25 p.m.As college finals go, Notre Dame's 2-1 win over Maryland was quite a good one. Good, that is, within the limitations of the college game. Whether those limitations are imposed by the NCAA or whether they represent the way that the Division I coaches want things to be, I am no longer certain. It doesn't matter anyway: The limitations are ...» 35 Comments

MLS Cup: The KC Method vs. the RSL StylePosted by Paul Gardner on Dec. 7, 12:14 a.m.Scanning the Kansas City and the Real Salt Lake rosters for a likely MVP in today's final, two names -- representing two very different aspects of soccer -- stand out: Aurelien Collin for KC, and Javier Morales for RSL.» 4 Comments

What Soccer Can Learn from Genetics (Part 3: Genes and Sport)Posted by Paul Gardner on Dec. 4, 8:15 p.m.In the last couple of columns, I've been looking into the genetic intricacies and mysteries revealed in David Epstein's book "The Sports Gene." He doesn't have much to say about soccer -- I counted 12 references to the sport, mostly brief mentions to bolster a point that Epstein is making about another sport. This should hardly be too surprising» 4 Comments

Mindless Midfields Usher Out Sounders and Red BullsPosted by Paul Gardner on Nov. 14, 1:58 a.m.Unthinkable is probably too strong a word, but the ignominious departure of the New York Red Bulls and the Seattle Sounders from the MLS playoffs certainly seemed to defy probability. Above all, the manner of their defeats, with the hammer-blow for each team coming via defeat in a climactic game in their home stadium jammed with their own frenetic, expectant ...» 8 Comments

Should refs be hawks or doves at playoff time?Posted by Paul Gardner on Nov. 11, 12:20 p.m.'Tis the season, or postseason anyway, of playoff soccer. Whatever that means. The phrase gets repeated and repeated -- the TV guys love it, of course, without giving us any clear explanation of what they mean.» 7 Comments

The Tab Ramos way must be the future for American soccerPosted by Paul Gardner on Oct. 31, 12:47 a.m.A few weeks back, in this column, Tab Ramos laid out his thoughts on coaching. What he had to say should be of vital interest to anyone involved in coaching, and in the development of the sport in this country. Yes, I am partisan on this issue, so let's get that out of the way immediately. I stand by what ...» 43 Comments

Ghost goal haunts Hoffenheim while Cosmos aim to be part-time championPosted by Paul Gardner on Oct. 29, 1:37 a.m.Great. No sooner do we move -- finally, after many a delay and much equivocation -- into the modern age with FIFA's approval of goal line technology (GLT, aka GDS or Goal Decision System) than we are plunged back into the dark ages with an utterly absurd decision over a disputed goal in Germany.» 17 Comments